General GM ChatWhen starting new posts, please specify YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE type, and whatever modifications you have made.
Chat about all things GM (and related cars). Off-topic stuff should be in the Lounge, and all Model specific mechanical problems should be posted in the proper forum.

I knew there is drivetrain loss in any car, I just didn't realize it would be so great in a front wheel drive. Would it be logical to think that the loss is greater in a rear wheel drive?? Or would it be about the same??

After thinking about it though the 20-25 whp I'll be adding is a pretty good jump over stock. I have already added ~15 whp, so I'm not so bummed anymore.

I knew there is drivetrain loss in any car, I just didn't realize it would be so great in a front wheel drive. Would it be logical to think that the loss is greater in a rear wheel drive?? Or would it be about the same??

After thinking about it though the 20-25 whp I'll be adding is a pretty good jump over stock. I have already added ~15 whp, so I'm not so bummed anymore.

Tim

dont be dissapointed.....dodge/chrylster trannies have WAAAY more driveline loss than than we do

20% loss is about as good as it gets for an auto tranny. Chrysler trannies lose a good 24%! Fords loose 23%. So, we have the good end of the deal. Ever wonder why a stock 240hp SSEi can SMOKE a 252hp Chrysler 300M? Or why an SE (you're car) with 205hp can smoke a 215hp Dodge Intrepid or the lighter 200hp Mustang V6? I'd say our trannies are very efficient.

You may lose 20 Hp throught the drivetrain, but torque is multiplied. I don't remember figures from the top of my head, but say the S2 NA puts out 215 lbs torque. Going through a tranny geared with a 2.86:1 ratio, you are getting 614.9 lbs torque to the axle. That'* not even including the axle ratio. Say that'* another 2.75 (Conservatively thinking). That comes to 1690.975 lbs of torque. It'* torque that you feel, not the HP. In other words, that'* what lays you back in the seat. HP will more accurately reflect how fast a car'* top speed can be, considering weight, aerodynamics, etc.

FYI, it takes 8X the amount of HP to go 200 MPH, than it does to go 100MPH.

Having owned one of those 215 HP Dodge Intrepids, and having a buddy who owned a 252 HP 300M, I can assure you that an SSEi will smoke a 300M, and an SE will smoke an Intrepid. Plus, Dodge transmissions really SUCK.

A 20% loss through the drivetrain is pretty common, even in rear-wheel drive cars.